News Archive

Amsterdam is home to the world´s oldest stock market - and it is #Occupied. Protesters in Amsterdam, along with dozens of cities across the Netherlands and hundreds throughout the world, took their square on a Global Day of Action on October 15, 2011, four weeks after Occupy Wall Street began. Occupy Amsterdam has occupied Beursplein (Exchange Square, directly in front of the Amsterdam stock exchange, now owned by Wall Street-based NYSE Euronext) ever since. Alongside the Acampadas in Spain and Portgual and the popular assemblies in Greece, the Netherlands remains among the most active Occupy movements in the non-English speaking world.

According to reports on the ground, several dozen people slept in the park after the illegal and violent raid on Liberty Square. Over 70 people remain, now on Day 3. Although tents and tables are still banned, Occupiers have brought blankets and sleeping gear. Many are calling it ¨The New Occupation.¨ In addition to holding General Assemblies, Union Square Occupiers are providing vital jail support for those arrested on #M17 as they are released from NYPD custody. So far, the NYPD has made no attempt to remove Occupiers or prevent them from sleeping in the park.

Our ability to occupy the commons in order to voice dissent is a vital political right. We do not need a permit to exist in public space. We call on all those who would stand for equality, justice, and liberation - and against the banks, corporations, wealthy elites, and corrupt politicians who have stolen our democracy and ruined our economy - to join us now. Although our plans are flexible and constantly evolving, we want everyone with an interest in this movement against Wall Street greed to take part in the evolving conversation. Spring is coming. The time to get involved is now!

Union Square is accessible by the 14th St - Union Sq [N, Q, R, L, 4, 5, 6] subway stations. Protesters are Occupying on the south side of the park, on the concrete part by the steps. Check back here at http://occupywallst.org for updates! Of course, not everyone can camp - but please feel free to stop by at any point in the day to say hello and show your much-appreciated solidarity.

As long as there is injustice, as long as the country is divided between rich and poor, and as long as the 1% continues to exert control over our lives, we will not go away. We will continue to use public space to rebuild true democracy, create networks to support one another, provide services to those suffering from the economic crisis, and launch nonviolent disruption of inequality everywhere. We will defend those facing unfair foreclosures and loss of critical social services, and we will continue to call out the Wall Street bankers and corporate executives who are profiting from these atrocious policies!

NYPD: Squash us in one park, we will reappear in another! You cannot evict an idea whose time has come!